How many of your hi fi purchases have been online?

[magiccarpetride]

I was thinking about the demise of hi fi dealerships, and was forced to conclude that it must be due to the increase in the online purchases. It was more than on one occasion that I walked into a local hi fi dealership and enquired about some component, only to be told that they are not dealing with that line of products, but would be happy to order it for me.

Now, that doesn't make any sense. Why would I have them order the component for me and charge me their sales margin on top, when I can order it myself?

[HighFidelityGuy]

Probably about half my system was purchased online and well over 95% of it was researched online. I simply don't trust sales people in general, although I do have a couple of trustworthy dealers in my area. I like to research all my options online and then either borrow equipment to try at home or buy things that can be returned for a full refund if I don't like them. I then trust my ears and not what someone on commission tells me. I do however listen to the opinions of people on forums like this as at least they are usually people who have nothing to gain from recommending a product.

I guess part of my distrust of sales staff came from the year I worked for a large electrical retailer. I was a very honest sales guy who took pride in knowing lots about the products I was selling and gave good advice. Because of this I made very little money. Other members of staff who knew jack sh*t about the products and often only recommended the products that had the highest margins and kickbacks earned plenty of commission. I heard sales people lying through their teeth to customers about products just to get a sale and vowed never to trust what a sales person told me again. I think some of the smaller independent Hi-Fi retailers are more trustworthy as they're run by enthusiasts. It's the bigger retailers that can't be trusted.

I remember a couple of years ago when I was looking for some new speakers I borrowed a pair of B&W 683's from a Sevenoaks store to see what all the fuss about the 600 series was. When I took them back the guy in the store said "so what colour do you want to order then" before I'd said a word. When I told him I thought they sounded honky and crap he sneered at me and gave me a look disgust. I guess he thought they were the best thing since sliced bread. He didn't offer any alternatives though and just gave me my deposit back. Now if I'd gone into the store and asked for advice he would have no doubt recommended those speakers as they were at the top of my price range, regardless of the fact they were shite. :rolleyes: I've never been back to that store and never will.

Rant over. :lol:

On the subject of dealers ordering in products specially for you, I've done this before and they charged me the same price as I could have bought the items online. So it's not always more expensive to do that. I do try to support my local dealers by buying from them if they're the same price as online retailers but that's a rare occasion now. I think online retail with money back guarantee's is the future now. Online retailers are generally cheaper and I don't have to waste time driving around town, paying for petrol and parking etc. The product comes to me, I try it in the comfort of my home and then keep it or send it back. Simples. :)

[Thing Fish]

I buy most stuff online these days not just hifi. It all comes down to cost i'm afraid.

I work hard for my money so why should I pay more for something I can get cheaper online.

If its cheaper in a shop then I will buy it there.

[Ergoline]

Pretty much all of my hi-fi purchases are made online, or made at garage sales when I see bargains on vintage gear.

My local dealer has some nice stuff: Bowers and Wilkins, Dynaudio, McIntosh, Rotel, Paradigm, etc. Unfortunately, I can't really afford any of it, and they don't stock anything that adheres to my micro-power philosophy.

Online, I'm able to buy speakers made out of sustainable materials (my Pandas), amps that are power-efficient (T-amps and my new Qinpu Q2), I get instant price comparisons, and I don't have to deal with salespeople. Most importantly, I can get something for the budget I have. When I do have a question, reputable manufacturers and e-retailers answer promptly and accurately. Nothing more, nothing less, which is exactly how it should be.

[John]

I have a mixiture of DIY or specialist equipment made by bespoke designers I used to buy in traditional stores but found this way to offer far better service by people who are passionate I have even become friends with some of the designers

[Ammonite Audio]

Probably about half my system was purchased online and well over 95% of it was researched online. I simply don't trust sales people in general, although I do have a couple of trustworthy dealers in my area. I like to research all my options online and then either borrow equipment to try at home or buy things that can be returned for a full refund if I don't like them. I then trust my ears and not what someone on commission tells me. I do however listen to the opinions of people on forums like this as at least they are usually people who have nothing to gain from recommending a product.

You've hit upon one of the more successful HiFi sales models here. Many people just cannot afford retail premises and the costs that go with them, so are forced to go online and more particularly in eBay shops. Provided that they have a no-quibble money back guarantee (like NVA, for example) there's nothing wrong with this, as it's your own ears that count. A good dealer will understand and anticipate your needs and guide you away from bad decisions (also towards good stuff that's more expensive than you had in mind!); however the economic facts of life mean that fewer dealers exist on the High Street. Of course, many now operate from home, which is a good compromise, particularly when they also have a well designed, witty and maintained web presence, eg Signals in Suffolk.


I guess part of my distrust of sales staff came from the year I worked for a large electrical retailer. I was a very honest sales guy who took pride in knowing lots about the products I was selling and gave good advice. Because of this I made very little money. Other members of staff who knew jack sh*t about the products and often only recommended the products that had the highest margins and kickbacks earned plenty of commission. I heard sales people lying through their teeth to customers about products just to get a sale and vowed never to trust what a sales person told me again. I think some of the smaller independent Hi-Fi retailers are more trustworthy as they're run by enthusiasts. It's the bigger retailers that can't be trusted.

People are in business to do business. This is all normal sales routines for national chains of electrical stores, and fine as long as the customer knows what's being done to them and can say no. The trouble is that the public are not aware of this and do not say no, but more importantly nor do they seem to care! Witness the number of extended warranty sales that the likes of Currys rack up - I have many friends who are really pleased at the "deal" that they have got from Currys, Comet etc! Now, in HiFi terms, I like to think that no AoS audio enthusiast will go to the big electrical chains for anything other than a toaster or vacuum cleaner - we are probably not in the target population for their "HiFi" sales.


............ When I took them back the guy in the store said "so what colour do you want to order then" before I'd said a word.

He's just doing his job there, and that is called an "assumptive close", which more than often results in a sale (they are in business, after all). I'm actually pleased when I'm shopping for something and the salesperson comes out with a good (but honest) sales patter - so much better than the passive blob-like attitude of so many in retail


Rant over. :lol:

On the subject of dealers ordering in products specially for you, I've done this before and they charged me the same price as I could have bought the items online. So it's not always more expensive to do that. I do try to support my local dealers by buying from them if they're the same price as online retailers but that's a rare occasion now. I think online retail with money back guarantee's is the future now. Online retailers are generally cheaper and I don't have to waste time driving around town, paying for petrol and parking etc. The product comes to me, I try it in the comfort of my home and then keep it or send it back. Simples. :)

Good for you and it's good when a dealer can match online prices, but do remember that, except where they order something in for you, they are paying for the stock that they hold - often online retailers will not hold stock. They way that the HiFi business is now shifting towards online is unavoidable, but the more that local specialist dealers can compete on value with online sales, and the more that we patronise them, the better. Those that embrace online sales will be the ones that survive, even if it's only for small stuff like cables, accessories etc. The main problem with online sales of major equipment is that the lack of honest and informed advice and direction from a dealer can often result in a purchase that soon finds its way into the classified ads, despite the careful research and reading of reviews etc beforehand.

Rant Over:) If we were all intelligent consumers, fully understanding of the costs and constraints of doing business in this age, we might all be happier audio buyers. Of course, we could all be like Jerry and buy used, have great fun box-swapping, and do so cheaply.

[YNWaN]

I've bought lots of small items on line - not hi-fi though (and never will).

[Rare Bird]

I've bought lots of small items on line - not hi-fi though (and never will).

+1 (Not new anyway)

[slate]

For the last 6-8 years most non-daily items are bought online.

- Computerparts
- Books
- CD/DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray
- ...

Most of my research is done online. Back when I built my basement cinema it took me almost a year; I had no handon experience with projectors, screens, etc. And it was back when the new video/audio formats became available... well not so much here but mainly in the US.

I went to the big November exhibition in Copenhagen, a 5 setup “ HD projector demo day” in Århus and in Vejle. And I visited a guy I found on Hifi4all.dk; he was in the final stages of an “all out” cinema – SIM2 projector, Stewart screen, M&K speakers, …

When I bought my B&W 704; I did my research, then spent a day in Århus visiting dealers to hear the various models I had found. They then sent me the 704 and I didn't return them. Speakers you have to hear; preferable in your own living room with your own equipment.

I did import my Caiman and a second Squeezebox Receiver from UK. My Toshiba HD-XE1 and HD-EP35 came from Germany as Toshiba have very little presence here.
But imports from outside EU is not always cheaper, the tax is only a few %, but VAT is 25% and they include freight in their formular.

((price+freight) * tax * vat) + 20€ handling fee

so ebay does not see much action from me.

Most electronic components I get at a local dealer; just happens to have the HQ of a small electronics chain in this town.

99% of my audio & video source needs are covered by imports from Amazon UK. I add too my wishlist and at some point when I notice that the £ is down I make an order...

[Ergoline]

Rant Over If we were all intelligent consumers, fully understanding of the costs and constraints of doing business in this age, we might all be happier audio buyers. Of course, we could all be like Jerry and buy used, have great fun box-swapping, and do so cheaply.

I have to respectfully disagree with you. I think it's because I understand brick and mortar as well as e-retailer business models that I'm an unhappy audio buyer. I understand that to stay in business a shop owner has to push accessories, higher priced items, and use annoying closing/offer techniques. These guys have to make a buck, I just don't want them to make it off me :).

[magiccarpetride]

On the subject of dealers ordering in products specially for you, I've done this before and they charged me the same price as I could have bought the items online. So it's not always more expensive to do that.

My local dealer has Maggies 3.6 retailing for $5,500. However, I think the direct order price is $4,375 (or close to that; the point is, approximately a grand less than at the local dealer).

The challenge now for the local dealer is that people can call for an audition, spend some time with the sales rep, find the speakers they like, and then turn around and order them online. Not sure how would I fight that problem...

[Beechwoods]

It's bloody sad that people do that. I would personally pay more for that kind of service, by buying at a place that gave me that kind of service, regardless of if I could get the item online for less. People who do that deserve to lose their local hifi emporia, it's just a shame that everyone else has to lose it as well.

[Thing Fish]

It's bloody sad that people do that. I would personally pay more for that kind of service, by buying at a place that gave me that kind of service, regardless of if I could get the item online for less. People who do that deserve to lose their local hifi emporia, it's just a shame that everyone else has to lose it as well.

If you can afford to pay more then that's just dandy. Some of aren't as rich as others and have to work damned hard for every single penny we earn and justify to ourselves (and the other half) where, when and how we spend it!

[Beechwoods]

I take your point Dave, and my comment was guided by the thought that people would take advantage of the services offered by bricks and mortar retailers, to try gear out, and get advice, only to take their actual purchase elsewhere. I have and do take into account these extra services in setting what I think is a 'fair price' for my key purchases. And I wouldn't make any assumptions about how 'rich' or otherwise people are by how they consider these things.

[Vinyleyes]

The only thing new I have bought new for my hifi in the last 25 years has been my Oppo BD95 .. and my MC cartridge. I cannot get my head (or my wallet) around the prices for decent new gear taking into account the markup from manufacturer to dealer. Obviously the internet plays a large part in helping me source good 2nd hand items.
I do consider new gear from smaller manufacturers such as the one or two we have on this forum .. I know that they offer much better value for money.
However ,, I do not criticise a good, honest hifi dealer .. and I will NOT use them and waste their time to demo items which I know I am not going to buy new .. and in fact may then go and buy cheaper elsewhere ... to me that is dishonourable. I will audition used items they may be selling if they interest me.
I have no problem though to do that in places where the "sales mentality" rules ... in fact I take a slightly perverse pleasure in acting dumb and letting them spiel me .... I do that just to observe the level of their bullshit ..... and if I feel that the advice is commission orientated I simply never return ..
I have been pleasantly surprised a couple of times in Curry's lately though ... good advice and quite knowledgeable staff. ( not hifi gear of course .. :eek: ) ..... :cool:

[MartinT]

I will use a dealer and ensure that they get the sale, unless it's for something that I don't require dealer support for or something not sold in the UK.

If you're going to buy Japanese equipment on the internet, AudioCubes2 are superb:
http://www.audiocubes2.com/

[Pete The Cat]

Mostly online now. Mainly due to personal belief that some old hardware is (admittedly to my challenged ears) as good as current hardware, so I might as well go second hand.

Pete

[colinB]

I just bought the AVI neutron 2.1 unit of line. I didnt have much choice.